New Riders Top Ten List (that doesn't cost money)

[Spok]

In the most recent All Metric Roadbike mag, I found the following list that I feel is a great read for all new riders.

Top Ten Must-Haves that Don’t Cost Money

Humility – Understand and recognize that as a beginner, you don’t need the biggest/fastest bike out there. Too much bike can easily overwhelm your skills and hinder your learning progress.

Practice, Practice, Practice! - Acquire knowledge and experience, then practice what you’ve learned in a controlled environment before hitting the open road

The Right Attitude – Remember, this is fun. Go out there with the right head on your shoulders and enjoy the ride, know your limitations, and use commons sense.

Respect – Respect the machine you’re riding and all of the other vehicles around you. There are no bumpers on a bike; a bump that would go unnoticed in a car will change your life on a motorcycle.

Experienced Riding Partners – Ride with friends from whom you can learn, not those who will hinder your progress. Find a friend/mentor to follow on your first few outings.

Learn How to Judge Speed – Either by markers on the roadside or their relation to the horizon. When you are riding, you are basically the size of your headlight to another motorist.

Patience – Don’t try to run head-to-head with more experienced riders right off the bat. Take your time, build up your skills, and never try to ride at a level above where you feel comfortable.

Knowledge of Your Machine – Make sure you know how everything works on the bike you’re riding before firing it up and hitting the streets.

Awareness – Assume nothing; humans will never cease to amaze and confound you. And this includes self-awareness; be sure that riding is really for you. Don’t ever ride because someone else wants you to, or you think that you should.

Common Sense – It’s not really that common anymore. Do your part to make it commonplace again.

[sbg8r]

A riders creed....should be adhear to at all times

[fretbuzz]

Not bad.

[Numba1 B Series]

Thanks!

Just registered yesterday and already....I am obtaining useful information!

[cmptrmn.1]

From the mouth of experience. Thanks Spok

[Tod]

Good list.

[cruiserV]

Things we wish we knew when we started riding:
Never trust the neutral light.
Never assume the kickstand will hold up the bike. Check where you land it.
Never assume the car coming sees you. Be prepared for the worst.
Always make sure your kickstand is up before moving out.
Never ride outside of your comfort zone.
Always do a precheck before you ride. Axle nuts, cables, lights, check it all.
Wear your gear. Helmet, gloves, leathers, boots, etc, all the time.
DRIVE DEFENSIVELY

[jukief]

That's a great list. I think I might print that up to share with my students.

[david8200]

That is a great list Dave,

One of the phrases that I have been using lately to new riders is the importance of being "Road Savy". You can take an experenced dirt bike rider that knows how to handel their bike in those conditions but if they don't understand the reality of traffic conditions they can be in a real jam real quick.

[gr8ride]

"Slow Look Press Lean and Roll, Search, Evaluate, Execute, Keep your head and eyes up"- Pearls from my MSF class. These added to our credo have done a lot for me.

-Great Post Spok

[Capt. Redbeard]

Spok..Spok...Spok (sorry Captain Kirks voice just cam into my head. Must be the medication) Anyway, I like the list. It's so hard to cover everything but I think you may have done it.
David

[Jaysin]

That is definitly a great list!

+++ ( I recommend younger riders reread #1 until it sticks. I have a feeling theres a reason its at the top)

[sunschild57]

Bump

[V2K_CCTX]

Bump Bump

[A-J]

Reminds me of what I say to newbies when asked "What'sthe best upgarde I can do to my bike?" Most people immedaitely start the normal list:

tires
pipe
rejet
power commander
etc.

I simply say "Rider Education"

That is the one "upgrade" that is universal and easily transfers from bike to bike.

[Sgt Sleepy]

New here so I'm gathering as much info as I can. GOOD TIPS Thanks guys!

[V2K_CCTX]

sixth sense

[Polar_Bus]

29 years of riding, and I crash every time I throw my leg over the seat.... oops wait that's my dirtbikes

26 years of street defense riding and not gone down yet.


The #1 best piece of advice I can give a new rider is a simple mindset discipline of "keep your head up, LOOK ahead, THINK ahead". . This was advise was given to me from a friend with 40+ years of racing/recreational motorcycle operation many years ago....